Pilates Body

Pilates will lift your backside, firm it and shape it. It will sculpt your muscles from tired to long and lean. It will develop in you muscles you never knew you had. It will make your core oh so strong. It will help you fully integrate your body allowing you to move with more integrity, flow and grace. It will be the reason you look great in your bikini...or nothing at all.

Get Pilates. You won't be disappointed.

Hug A Tree!

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The next best time is now." ~Chinese Proverb

On this Arbor Day I want to remind you to not only PLANT a tree, but also to hug a tree! This beauty is standing in Glacier National Park in Montana. I gave it a big hug before I snapped this photo. There is nothing like the peaceful energy of a tree.

Receiving

Yesterday afternoon there was energy in the air sent out freely by the flowers. After being sick for almost a week now the energy is yet to come organically from me. I accepted what they were offering with appreciation and gratitude. What a gift!

Northern Minnesota

This is where I spent last week. Ever been to Northern Minnesota? I highly recommend it. The air is fresh and clean, the skies big and blue, the lakes are clear and clean and I promise you will sleep like a baby. And the best part, the call of the loon to wake you up each morning so you don't miss a minute of the best summer days you will ever experience.

Picture From My Week

I have always loved the "picture from my week" posts (especially Jennifer's from Pink Heels - thanks for the inspiration!). I've decided to add it to my blog too and here is the first one. This was taken on Monday in Alabama. It was a beautiful day and the Gulf was very calm except for the fish that were having a feeding frenzy in the water. The birds were following the fish around the shore hoping to get in on some minnow action too. It was great entertainment for a few hours.

Costa Rica Yoga in 32 Days

Here I am, 32 days before the Costa Rica Yoga Retreat. It is -14 degrees at my house right now. It is 73 degrees in Costa Rica right now. Where would you rather be?

Laura and I have been preparing for our adventure for many weeks now. Which travel yoga mat to purchase? Which pair of yoga shorts? Water shoes?

Of course we always talk about the yoga. Can you imagine yoga in the jungle, with monkeys watching? Sign me up! Oh, wait - I already have my ticket. What about you?

Related Posts
Do Some Yoga In Costa Rica
Yoga Retreat In Costa Rica

...the poetic baring of the soul...

My last ballet lesson of the year was on Tuesday of this week. The studio closes over the holidays. I will miss it and am already looking forward to the New Year to bring my first class of 2009. The class is the highpoint of each week as I feel the most alive and that I am expressing my most authentic self as I stand at that barre and feel the music as it moves my body.

Pure. Undeniable. Authentic.
I am in love.

Dance is the poetic baring of the soul through motion. ~ Scott Nilsson

yes it is.

Sweetheart

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

For me...

Inspiration, beauty, grace, radiance, strength, movement, joy, peace, happiness, connection.

Learning to walk set you free. Learning to dance gives you the greatest freedom of all: to express with your whole self the person you are. ~ Melissa Hayde

A Magical Event

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event" ~ Unknown

My new "real" Minnesota winter coat and new boots. The mittens are not new, I just threw them in the picture because they are cute :-) I could stay warm outside forever.

While the "fall of snow" today is not the first this season, it certainly has been a magical event. Walking down the street tonight with everything covered in a beautiful layer of white I think that nothing could be more beautiful. Not only to the eyes, but to the nose and lungs with the most pure and crisp air to breathe. To the ears, with the complete silence except for the sound of the boots against the snow. Everything is calm and peaceful. You can feel the relaxation of the ground and the trees and shrubs - the energy of all is relaxed.

I wish for every winter evening to touch me in this way. It is magical and so beautiful.

Truth Within The Soul

"To a true artist only that face is beautiful which, quite apart from its exterior, shines with the truth within the soul." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Do you shine?

Related Posts:
More Quotes

Do Some Yoga In Costa Rica

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

"...and do some yoga!" ~ Karen

Yippee, only 93 days (but who's counting?) until we board that plane for the Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica. So far I have purchased 4 new bikinis and 3 new yoga tops for the adventure. I am looking at a new travel yoga mat from Hugger Mugger - I think that will be a smart purchase since I will only have so much suitcase room - 4 bikinis do take up some space :-) I can't decide between the green mat or the blue one. Decisions, decisions.

Want to Explore, Dream and Discover? Join us in Costa Rica - the more, the merrier!

Related Posts:
Wanna "Yoga" In Costa Rica?

Gratitude Inspiration

How is your gratitude practice? Do you need a little inspiration? This video will help. It is the Karma Tube video of the week. The message is wonderful and the pictures are beautiful - too beautiful not to share.

Enjoy!

Autumn Yoga

This morning started with rain drops. What a wonderful way to wake up. The rain let up. Little doggie girl dawned her harness and I, my rain coat. Opening up the front door to the beautiful colors of autumn, we stepped outside. We walked down the street with the scent of the fresh, wet, cool morning air. "I love autumn," I thought to myself. As we came upon the cedar bridge behind the house, a pheasant was walking towards us. He saw a person and a beagle, turned around, ran the other way and then took off making that sound that only pheasants make.

The wind was blowing just enough to coax the yellow, red and orange leaves into a beautiful shower of color. Little doggie girl's nose is to the ground, sniffing the trail of the last animal that walked in our foot steps. The smell of the cedar bridge is strong and so calming.

I was lost in the beauty of it all and it was delicious.

It has inspired me. I want this experience on my yoga mat. What poses will allow me to create this? I know it is possible. What a fun adventure it will be.

Wanna "Yoga" In Costa Rica?

Yes, for real! Laura and I are going to Costa Rica for 7 days of yoga and jungle and ocean and fun. Join us at Samasati Yoga and Nature Retreat from January 24 - 31, 2009. Check it out.

Why I Love My Life #30

I was born in the most beautiful month of the year, October.

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Why I Love My Life #31

Sweetpea vine in the snow.

I live in a place where are all four seasons are experienced and I celebrate each and every one of them.

"To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring." ~ George Santayana

Why I Love My Life #32

Beautiful flowers surround my home and I am grateful for them everyday.

One Of My Favorite Things

A little doggie butt would be it! There is nothing better than a dog in front of you, cool morning air all around, sweatpants & sweatshirts, peace & quiet, in a beautiful nature setting. This is one of my favorite ways to start off the day. Now on to my second - breakfast.

Red Bug, Red Bug

The beauty of all things lies in your ability to appreciate them. -Author Unknown